Leavenworth man charged with second-degree murder

Monday

Dec 23, 2013 at 5:52 PM

A rural Leavenworth man has been charged with second-degree murder after another man died from apparent gunshot wounds early Sunday morning, according to local law enforcement and prosecution officials.

John Richmeier

A rural Leavenworth man has been charged with second-degree murder after another man died from apparent gunshot wounds early Sunday morning, according to local law enforcement and prosecution officials.

Jeffery Sifford, 48, made his first appearance Monday afternoon in Leavenworth County District Court.

Sifford is accused of killing Richard E. Luse, 58, of rural Easton.

Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office deputies found Luse wounded shortly after midnight Sunday in a travel trailer in the 19000 block of Springdale Road, which is where Sifford lives.

Luse was taken to the hospital and later died, Leavenworth County Undersheriff Jim Sherley said.

Sifford is not alleged to have intentionally killed Luse.

But, Sifford is accused of acting in a reckless manner that resulted in Luse's death, according to a complaint document read Monday in court.

"They had an argument at the home," Sherley said of the two men.

Sherley said Luse was shot with a rifle, possibly more than once.

Sifford had injuries from a scuffle before his arrest. He did not require medical treatment, Sherley said.

Deputies from the Sheriff's Office were called to the scene early Sunday morning for a report of a disturbance.

When deputies arrived, they allegedly found Sifford lying in the snow outside the residence. He was detained.

Deputies then checked the travel trailer, which was located behind the main house on the property, and found Luse lying on the floor, Sherley said.

A 52-year-old man who also lives at the residence on Springdale Road was interviewed by investigators as a witness to the incident. He was detained for unrelated charges. His name has not been released.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the property on Springdale Road. Items were seized during the search including what is believed to be the murder weapon.

District Court Judge Gunnar Sundby read the second-degree murder charge to Sifford when he appeared in court Monday.

Sundby said a bond screen would be conducted in order to set a bond for Sifford.

The judge asked Sifford if he planned to hire an attorney or wished to have one appointed.

"Right now, I don't know if I have any money to hire one," Sifford said.

Sundby said he would tentatively appoint an attorney for Sifford. He is next scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

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